LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Jennifer Mercouris upon the occa-
sion of receiving the distinguished Girl Scout Gold Award, the most
prestigious of Scouting honors, on April 5, 2010

WHEREAS, Jennifer Mercouris, through her diligence and rigorous efforts,
has achieved Scouting's highest and most prestigious honor, the Girl
Scout Gold Award; the ceremony will be held on Monday, April 5, 2010, at
West Sayville Fire House, West Sayville, New York; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Pamela and Nicholas, Jennifer Mercouris has
been active in Girl Scouts since she was in kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, America has achieved her greatest heights of glory through
the dedication, determination and tireless efforts of the outstanding
citizens of this Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is only with the continued diligence and devotion of our
youth, tomorrow's leaders, that America will maintain her glory; and
WHEREAS, The Girl Scouts of America and its members are dedicated to
the development of character and leadership in the youth of this Nation;
and
WHEREAS, As a Junior Girl Scout, Jennifer Mercouris earned a Bronze
Award by making pet beds and collecting toys, food, old blankets, and
newspapers for local animal shelters; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Mercouris earned a Silver Award while a Cadette Girl
Scout after she started and managed Girl Scout Brownie Troop No. 347 for
girls on a waitlist who did not have a troop of their own; she ran this
troop for three years and continues to work with this troop today; and
WHEREAS, Since 1980, Senior Girl Scouts have capped their years of
achievement in Girl Scouting with the Girl Scout Gold Award; and
WHEREAS, In order to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, a girl must
fulfill five requirements; chief among them is the design and completion
of a Gold Award Project; this project must build upon the interests of
the girl, provide a service to the community, and be of lasting benefit;
and
WHEREAS, For her project, Jennifer Mercouris went to a homeless shel-
ter and worked with the children residing there; she taught them ways to
be healthy and fit while still having fun; on her last day, she organ-
ized a big field day for the kids which was a great success; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Jennifer Mercouris is a Senior at Bayport-Blue
Point High School in Bayport, New York; and
WHEREAS, An avid athlete, Jennifer Mercouris played on her school's
Varsity Soccer Team and was this year's Captain; she is also an essen-
tial member of the Varsity Track Winter and Spring teams; additionally,
she is a player for the Stony Brook Freedom Soccer Travel team; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her athletic interests, Jennifer Mercouris is
a member of the National Honor Society, where she serves as Treasurer;
she is also actively involved with Science Olympiad, Ecology Club, and
Habitat for Humanity; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of her efforts of in-depth magnitude, Jennifer
Mercouris has earned countless awards and accolades some of which
include the Presidential Physical Fitness Award, New York State Science
Olympiad Team Award, Excellence in Physical Education Award, Excellence
in French Award, Excellence in Pre-Calc Award, and Winter Track Athlete
of the Season for 2008-2009; she has also been named a New York State
Scholar Athlete, and is often listed on her school's high honor roll;
and
WHEREAS, Athletics have always been a huge part of Jennifer Mercouris'
life; as a result, when she enters college this fall, she will major in
Athletic Training/Sports Medicine; and

WHEREAS, This outstanding young woman has been involved in Scouting
for years, has lived up to Scouting's ideals and has attained all of the
necessary achievements; and
WHEREAS, Jennifer Mercouris is a credit to her family, her school, her
community, her State and her Nation, and no doubt her future will be
filled with accomplishments of equal importance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations, in
recognition of the significance of this meritorious achievement, to
congratulate and honor Jennifer Mercouris upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jennifer Mercouris.